Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

put the make on

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: Zipf frequency 5.50 in modern English

Syllables: put the -make on
IPA

23

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

2

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To pursue with romantic interest, especially in an aggressive, sexually suggestive manner.

Informal; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"1975, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure I met a lesbian friend of Liz's, Dawn, who promptly put the make on me & I figured it's about time I tried it."
"1978, "High Steppin' to stardom (Film review of Saturday Night Fever)," Time, 3 Apr., His girl—the one he has been trying unsuccessfully to put the make on—hears the longing and the edge of desperation in his voice and kisses him on the cheek."

Etymology

From make (“love interest, spouse, mate”).

Usage

Inflected Forms

puts the make on (present, singular) putting the make on (participle, present) put the moves on (alternative)

Phrases

on the make

Frequently Paired Words

on the make

Synonyms

flirt with hit on hustle

Questions

What does put the make on mean?: To pursue with romantic interest, especially in an aggressive, sexually suggestive manner.
Where does put the make on come from?: From make (“love interest, spouse, mate”).

How to pronounce put the make on

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